Cops examine the flipped car after Clinton James was shot on Staten Island yesterday. Photo: William Miller

The man who was shot and critically wounded during a traffic stop on Staten Island yesterday has been arrested after cops found a loaded gun in his car, police said.

An officer and two detectives from the Gang Squad stopped Clinton James, 33, around 1:15 p.m., in Castleton Corners, after receiving a tip that the suspect had a gun, police said.

The cops approached with their shields displayed, recognized the driver as a gang member and ordered him to keep his hands up, sources said.

Instead, James tried to flee and pinned one of the detectives against another vehicle, police said.

Cops saw the driver reach for a gun and opened fire, police said.

James was shot in the chest and crashed the car into a utility pole on Gansevoort Boulevard and North Gannon Avenue, police said.

Cops said they recovered a loaded .44 caliber Taurus revolver from the car.

James was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, where he is in stable condition. He has been charged with assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a loaded firearm, criminal use of a firearm, menacing a police officer, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license.

James has an extensive record that includes armed robbery and criminal possession of a firearm, police said.